Dramatic slowdown in melting of Arctic sea ice surprises scientists

Melting is likely to start again at about double the long-term rate in the next five to 10 years, the scientists said. Photograph: Keren Su/China Span/Alamy

The melting of sea ice in the Arctic has slowed dramatically in the past 20 years, scientists have reported, with no statistically significant decline in its extent since 2005.

The finding is surprising, the researchers say, given that carbon emissions from fossil fuel burning have continued to rise and trap ever more heat over that time.